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The final chance to get into the Melbourne Cup is the Hotham Handicap run at Flemington on Saturday.
Shocking was the last horse to do the double. In an open year we might see another in the 2019 Hotham Handicap (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
2019 Hotham Handicap: Nominations
2019 HOTHAM HANDICAP - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Hotham Handicap is a Group 3 race run under Quality Handicap conditions for the stayers at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.
The Hotham Handicap is run over 2500m. It was first run in 1869 and was won by Aurora.
Often the last chance to make the Melbourne Cup with the winner exempt from ballot, it isn't easy to back up.
This race has had numerous name changes but was the Hotham Handicap all the way until 1978. It became the Lexus Stakes in 2009.
Until 1971 the race was a mile and a half but became 2500m from 1972.
The Hotham Handicap was a Principal Race then a Group 3 1979/1980, Group 2 1981 to 2003 then downgraded to Group 3 from 2004.
The most famous history of the Hotham Handicap is the triple dead heat in 1956 between Fighting Force, Ark Royal and Pandie Sun.
Not been a good race for the mares with the most recent being Pindi in 1994.
Those to do the Lexus Stakes/Melbourne Cup double include Shocking (2009), Brew (2000), Think Big (1974), Baystone (1958), Foxzami (1949), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), White Nose (1931), King Ingoda (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).
The Hotham Handicap/Lexus Stakes is worth $300,000 in 2019.
Notable winners of the Lexus Stakes include A Prince Of Arran (2018), Signoff (2014), Maluckyday (2010), Shocking (2009), Maybe Better (2006), Brew (2000), Mount Olympus (1990), Sea Legend (1986), Chagemar (1983/1984), Think Big (1974), Scotch And Dry (1972), Tails (1969), Baystone (1958), Fighting Force/Ark Royal/Pandie Sun (1956), Foxzami (1949), Dark Marne (1947), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), Catalogue (1939), Spear Chief (1938), White Nose (1931), Shadow King (1929), King Indoga (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).
The 2018 Hotham Handicap/Lexus Stakes was won by A Prince Of Arran from Brimham Rocks and Jaameh.
